February 9, 2003
Source: Bay News
http://www.baynews9.com/NewsStory.cfm?storyid=13247
On February 9, 2003 the Bay News reported that "the Hajj is an annual pilgrimage for Muslims and is considered one of the five pillars of Islam. Ahmed Bedier from the Florida Chapter of the Council on American Islamic Relations... says it’s unfortunate that America is linking terrorism to Hajj... 'It saddens us and is a disappointment that it’s the reason for raising the alert,' Bedier said. 'It’s really contradictory; the purpose of this Hajj and this pilgrimage is a peaceful and humbling experience and not one for aggression or violence.'"